In many other time periods, and in many areas of the world still today, postpartum women were and still are pampered, cared for, nourished, and mothered by women in their families and communities. Traditional practices include confining mother to bed, cooking and feeding her warm, nourishing foods, and caring for the needs of her household. Many cultures who still hold to these traditional values have mom confined to her bed for 4-6 weeks. 

In America, mothers are expected not only to be fully physically recovered in 4-6 weeks, but also back to work and back to their normal routines at home. Societal pressures, America's independence-driven culture, work obligations, and socioeconomic situations can force a mom to return to work as soon as a few days or weeks after birthing a baby. Our culture does not have the safety net in place that new mothers need in order to truly heal. We have failed our mothers.

Women are now often having to cook and clean and care for her entire home alone or with only 1 support person, sometimes going back to work immediately, all while wearing adult diapers herself, and aching emotionally and physically from head to toe. Even mothers that have relatives come visit often report feeling pressured to host/cook/clean/provide for the needs of the guests instead of being SERVED by them. 

We have lost the ancient wisdom and downplayed the importance of rest for the new mother. I'm on a mission to change that.